Mazel Tov, William and Kate

The royal baby, the future King of England, sure has a lot to live up to. Don't we all?

Huge crowds gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace yesterday where the birth was officially announced. The Queen was especially thrilled with the newest addition; this is the first time in over 120 years that a current monarch is greeting a great grandchild born in direct succession to the crown.

Kate and William’s child is third in the line of succession, shifting Prince Harry to fourth and the Duke of York to fifth. The baby received the title of His Royal Highness, Prince of Cambridge and he will be a future King. He is in line to become future head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and head of the Commonwealth, which covers 54 nations across the world and consequently head of state of 16 countries.

These are heavy expectations for a baby. He has entered the world with a customized mission already engraved in his soul. Before the baby even took his first breath, there was a list of positions and duties awaiting him. Prince. King. Head of the armed forces. Supreme governor of the Church of England. Head of the Commonwealth. An enormous calling for such tiny shoulders.

But the truth is every soul carries a unique mission engraved upon it before it comes to this world.

Each child is an extraordinary, irreplaceable creation. We don’t know who each of these children will become. Maybe they will live up to their potential. Perhaps some will choose not to do so. But at the moment of each birth, an intricate, crucial list of goals awaits each of them. Before any of us took our first breaths, our life missions were carefully sculpted, waiting for us to come to this world and realize them.

Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis writes:

All of us are shaped, molded, lovingly designed by God and imbued with unique gifts. Just as no two people look exactly alike, although they may share the same physical attributes, similarly no two souls are alike. We are not mass-produced but custom-made by our Heavenly Father with a higher purpose that only we can fulfill. Before God ever created us, He had a clear picture of exactly what He envisioned us to be.

Our sages teach that each of us has a letter in the Torah that reflects our souls and one of the reasons why these letters must be distinctly separated from each other is because we each have a unique mission that only we can fulfill. God actually makes a portrait of what He intends us to become and equips us with the necessary tools with which to realize His purpose.

All of the test, trials and tribulations of our lives are orchestrated by the One Above so that we may fulfill this goal, and if you wonder whether you have what it takes to succeed in this mission, be assured that God never makes mistakes – the very fact that it is He Who created you is proof positive that it is within your capability to fulfill this charge.(Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, Life Is a Test, p.27)

When my husband and I were dating in college, I never brought up my family. For most of my life I had been known as the Judge’s daughter, and I wanted to be myself. No titles. No expectations. After a month of dating the question finally came up. What do your parents do? After what seemed like a long pause, I finally told him.

“My father is a lawyer, and my mother is a New York State Supreme Court Judge.” He looked confused for a moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” he asked. I told him that I didn’t want to live my whole life as "the Judge’s daughter." I wanted to create my own identity, not to be defined by someone else’s.

And then my husband-to-be said something that I’ll never forget.

“It’s doesn’t have to define you, but it will always be an important part of who you are.”

The families that we are born into are tools in our missions. Our personalities, our looks, our strengths and our weaknesses are all part of what we each are given to fulfill the exclusive mission of each of our souls. The royal baby has entered this world with a special, honorable place awaiting him. But it will be up to him to actualize the royalty inside of him.

And it's the same with us. We are all children of the King. We all have royal lineage. We may have titles and labels attached to our identities, but we are ultimately defined only by our choices, by how we accomplish the mission designed for each of us before we took our first breath.

As the world celebrates the birth of the future King of England, let us remember that inside each of us is a royal soul, waiting to actualize its extraordinary potential.

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About the Author

Sara Debbie Gutfreund received her BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Family Therapy from the University of North Texas. She has taught parenting classes and self-development seminars and provided adolescent counseling. She writes extensively for many online publications and in published anthologies of Jewish women's writing. She and her husband spent 14 wonderful years raising their five children in Israel, and now live in Blue Ridge Estates in Waterbury, Connecticut, where Sara Debbie enjoys skiing and running in her free time.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 35

(22)
esti,
July 26, 2013 4:55 AM

great job!

great article! there is a lesson to be learned from everything that happens in the world. we jews are royalty and have high expectations!

(21)
Ann Canada,
July 26, 2013 12:44 AM

This is a wonderful article, Mrs. Gutfreund, and I love how you started it with Mazeltov and concluded it with HaShem. B'H dear Writer!

(20)
abey,
July 25, 2013 7:47 PM

To know the way of this world "Where God proposes, man disposes".

(19)
Feigele,
July 25, 2013 4:48 PM

Mazel Tov to all new babies!

Indeed, Congratulations to all babies born that same day as any other days from any other women. Each of them will have their life all inscribed before them and will have to follow all steps to accomplish what G-d has outlined for them, being rich or poor, from royalty to no significance and in between. There is a huge difference though, which is in which circumstances each one will be able to survive. “Better cry in a Rolls Royce than in a VW.” Today, we live in a different world, will the prince join the crowd or will he be confined in an archaic world? Will he eventually meet a Jewish princess? In any case, let us worry first about our own predicament.

(18)
Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 7:17 AM

Kate Middleton is not Jewish

Kate Middleton is not Jewish. All posters who say so are misinformed. Kudos to Aish for using current headlines to highlight Jewish truths

(17)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 10:49 PM

There were Jewish wives for all the USSR leaders

This is what we get for running the Silk Road to China! Everywhere from Ireland to Kuo Fong to the Leon Province of Mexico. Our people are everywhere. A really mixed, melting pot for future genealogists to ponder. Who might be the first one on Mars?

(16)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 11:01 AM

this baby will be....

the first Jewish king of England I hope he has a brit

Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 5:31 PM

He is NOT Jewish...

It's Kate's father's side that is Jewish not mother, therefore the baby isn't Jewish...

Sarah,
December 21, 2015 2:46 PM

someone'd said that Diana was Jewish because her mum was Jewish. that'd make WILLIAM the first (future) Jewish king of England.

(15)
Beverly Kurtin,
July 24, 2013 1:10 AM

Gimme a break

Does anyone recall something we Americans did around 1776? We declared our independence from..."Great" Britain.

The poor kid has a group of titles that is bigger than he is. What puzzles me is that so many American seem to have gone gaga over the little guy's birth.

If his lineage truly is Jewish, you can bet your bippy that he isn't going to be raised in a Jewish manner, not if he is potentially the head of the Church of England. Too bad for us, another couple of Jews lost.

(14)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 12:30 AM

Beautiful message

This article is a great example of learning messages from what is going on around us in the world. You gave an inspiring perspective on what otherwise could be a mundane headline in a newspaper. Thank you!

(13)
tova,
July 23, 2013 11:05 PM

jewish?

Has aishhatorah actually missed the point that despite their marriage in the church of England,Kate Middleton is known to be a Jewess,hence her child is a Jew.Do we not realize the significance of the future king of england being of ou Jewish nation?Similar to Yosef in Egypt,we indeed may find our own member of klal yisroel running the future of this monarchy.Gd puts people in place previous to our nation's needs for him to be there. There is no coincidence,and it is our heavenly father who runs this superb world.One day, a kiruv professional from aish hatorah will chance upon prince cambridge and he will become a baal tshuva of great power.Stay tuned to what Gd has in store...

Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 10:23 AM

Future King

Can you prove that Kate Middleton is Jewish?

Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 5:34 PM

She isn't Jewish read here for more information:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Was_Kate_Middleton's_mother_born_Jewish#page1

(12)
Rachel,
July 23, 2013 9:29 PM

Your parents

Ms Gutfreund, you don't give your maiden name so I can't be sure, but I think I knew your parents. The attorney I'm thinking of was a very kind, brilliant man, and while I didn't know the judge well, she was always very pleasant and thoughtful. So you did indeed have a lot to live up to -- and it seems from your columns that you have!

(11)
ALAN,
July 23, 2013 8:43 PM

IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.....

THE US FOUGHT A WAR AS NOT TO BE CONCERNED WITH BRITISH ROYALTY, SO MAY THIS BABY BE HEALTHY. I DO NOT CARE ABOUT ROYALTY AND THINK IT SHOULD BE PUT TO BED JUST LIKE CZARIST RUSSIA. THEY DO NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO WHAT MATTERS IN THE WORLD. SA FAR AS KATE BEING JEWISH, WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE SYNAGOGUE THEY WERE MARRIED. CHELSEA CLINTON IS MORE JEWISH, AT LEAST A RABBI WAS PRESENT.

(10)
sue,
July 23, 2013 8:08 PM

future King of ...

Our new Prince will be King of Great Britain - that is;Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England - He will NOTbe King of England!! - He will also be King of the Commonwealth, of course.

(9)
Jordy Bruno,
July 23, 2013 7:42 PM

Touching!

What a fantastic article! The precious little newborn is royalty. And so is each one of us royalty. This is the message from the wonderful writer who turns out to be the daughter of a Judge. And so are we all, each of us is a child of the Judge.What harmonious spiritual coincidence, reflecting the will of the Almighty, the One true King and Judge over all. Screech. I was moved almost to tears, especially by the part about the new little king being future head of the armed forces. I wonder if he'll bomb Iran in time, although that is still years away.

(8)
Marilyn,
July 23, 2013 7:17 PM

let's all just enjoy watching him grow up like our own .

All we can do is watch this child grow up to be what he wants to be - hopefully in the image of his royal parents.

(7)
Linda,
July 23, 2013 5:49 PM

Re: Kate's possible Jewish heritage

I would like to see the mass media openly discuss both Kate and the Baby's possible Jewish heritage! Why does information like this stay under wraps? And- since I've always heard that a Mohel does the royal circumcision due to experience ..,WILL IT NOW BE A REAL BRIS??

(6)
Sharon,
July 23, 2013 5:37 PM

Wow! Beautifully written

This article is so beautifully written and gave me a lot of food for thought as I have just given birth to a sweet little boy 6 days ago. As I look at my baby's tiny body, I see now that every child start the same but has a tremendous future ahead. Are we fulfilling our 'future' to its fullest?

Shoshana,
July 24, 2013 8:54 PM

Mazel Tov!

Mazel Tov, Sharon. May you have much Yiddishe naches from your new baby. We are the true royalty, for it says about Jews, "Banim atem" you are children "L'H-shem Elokeichem" to the Lord your G-d". We are also from Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the greatest royalty possible. May your little baby, and all Jewish children, live up to this.

(5)
Robert Bull Featherman,
July 23, 2013 4:59 PM

The Future King is Jewish

Kate's maternal mother is Jewish. Hence her mother is Jewish. That makes Kate Jewish so her son, the future King of England is Jewish.

Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 5:16 PM

Why people think kate is jewish she is not

Marnie,
July 23, 2013 8:50 PM

Love it!

Someone mentioned that to me today. You are right! I love it!

Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 2:22 AM

that is sooooooooooo not true but keep dreaming

Daniel,
July 24, 2013 5:23 AM

If so...

Does that mean we can expect a media frenzy over his circumcision next week?

d,
March 30, 2014 9:45 PM

You are 100 % WRONNGG!!!!

KATE MIDDLETON DOES NOT HAVE EVEN A DROP OF JEWISH BLOOD IN HER! GET REAL! HER GRANDFATHER HAS A POSSIBILITY OF BEING JEWISH, BUT KATE IS NOT BECAUSE IT GOES BY THE motheeeerrrr!!!

(4)
Geraldine Watson,
July 23, 2013 4:34 PM

Kate & William's New Baby Son

Thank you for your good wishes to the latest member of our Royal family. However there is a lot of comment about his future role as King. This is unlikely to happen for about another 70 years, so I think all the hype is just a little premature! Our current Queen could reign for another 15 years - if she live to the age of almost 102 like her mother. Then if her son, and grandson share the family's longevity, and reign until they die, this will make the new baby in his 70s before he is likely to ascend the throne. So I think we should just enjoy seeing him grow up and speculate about his future role just a little later than the day after his birth!

Mordechai Shuali,
July 23, 2013 8:19 PM

Acting Royally

Royalty must act royally. I think that was the author's point. There is an ultimate goal and that requires many choices on the way.

(3)
Simcha Arona,
July 23, 2013 4:28 PM

Jewish heritage

I've been hearing rumors that Kate has Jewish grandparents on her mother's side. True or false?

(2)
Rita Young,
July 23, 2013 4:25 PM

Katie is Jewish?

I had read that Kate's mother is Jewish. That makes Katie and the new Prince Jewish! Supreme governor of the Church of England? Come on with the truth,

(1)
Dan,
July 23, 2013 3:35 PM

I don't care

And I think I'm not alone. We've got enough to think about without concerning ourselves with such an archaic institution.

Lisa,
July 24, 2013 12:25 AM

So we should just keep talking about Trayvon?!?

I think not!!
Mazal Tov to the new parents....they should only have nachas!

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!